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Contact:
Chris Satney
Thursday, April 14, 2005 - Technical and Vocational Educators celebrated
a week of activities (April 11th – 15th) in observance of Technical and
Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Week. The activities spearheaded by the
St. Lucia Technical and Vocational Educators Association in collaboration with
the Ministry of Education started Monday April 14th with an exhibition at the
Alliance Franciase building at Point Seraphine.
TVET refers to all forms and levels of education involving the study of areas of
a technical and vocational nature. These include skill oriented areas such as
craft, clothing and textiles, carpentry, home making and masonry.
The activities marking the week-long observance focused on the role of TVET in
the changing social and economic Environment. The exhibition entitled “Masters
at Work” which started the week, displayed the creativity and ability of TVET
teachers.
President of the St. Lucia Technical and Vocational Educators Association Thomas
Boulogne said the exhibition will set the pace for a change in public perception
about TVET educators. A goal which he says is part of a bigger challenge which
includes better training for TVET teachers and the recognition of their
achievements.
“This exhibition of the work of our teachers is a means of demonstrating to the
public what some of our professionals are capable of doing and also to help
attract students to TVET. Our teachers are required to have the know-how and
know-why in their respective areas of expertise, in order to help students
develop appropriate competencies in occupational areas,” said Mr. Boulogne who
is also Dean of the Division of Technical Education and Management Studies at
the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College.
Outgoing Chief Education Officer Fortuna Anthony-Husbands expressed satisfaction
with gains made in changing people’s attitudes and thinking towards technical
and vocational areas. She says when it comes to TVET there should be no
separation of intelligence and skill.
“They thought you had to be dumb to do it. But now we see it calls for a lot
more. It calls for the ability to translate content to show productivity and I
think if we had caught onto that a lot earlier in the education system, we would
have been able to combat illiteracy and numeracy problems that we have,” she
said.
The education officials all agreed to the strengthening of support networks that
will ensure challenges facing Technical and Vocational Education and Training
are effectively addressed. They also agreed that better certification of TVET
programmes should be pursued, so as to ensure St. Lucia is better able to
compete when the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME) comes into being.
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